The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has taken note of the continuous disturbing spate of fraudulent and illegal demarcations, allocations and occupation of the farm Kalkfontein 1001 LS known as "Mamahule". The farm is situated on R71 next to Dalmada en route to Ga-Mothiba.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform condemns the fraudulent and illegal demarcations and subsequent sale of pieces of land as "residential stands" as this has been declared an unlawfully occupation by the constitutional court and has a negative impact on the pending restitution process relating to the same claimed property to its claimants and beneficiaries.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform consulted with the Limpopo Departments of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGSTA), Agriculture and Rural Development(DARD),Transport and Community Safety(DTCS), Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and Polokwane Local Municipality to address the matter.
All legal avenues are been explored to ensure that the fraudulent and illegal demarcations, allocations and occupations are resolved lawfully and the restitution process to the rightful claimants and beneficiaries continues without disturbance.
We are appealing to our citizens to exercise caution and verify with Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs or Polokwane Municipality whenever they are about to make a purchase of land or a stand from any individual claiming to be selling such. It has since come to our attention that there are people purporting and masquerading as legitimate landowners who are deliberately exploiting the genuine need for access to land for housing by citizens by creating illegal settlements on a land that does not belong to them.
We therefore would like to put it on record that the so called Mamahule village and the selling of pieces of land as "stands" is fraudulent and illegal. The farm Kalkfontein 1001 LS known as "Mamahule" is state land that is not for sale and was not allocated to any individual to sell and as a result there is no approval from the municipality for the establishment of such a settlement. Allegations have since surfaced that the sales of the pieces of land prizes range from R5 000 to R100 000 which action is illegal and fraudulent.
These illegal acts are raising deep concerns of instigated volatile situation brewing in the area as a result of serious conflicts amongst the various and competing groups selling the pieces of land as "stands". The volatile situation prevailing in the area may as well lead to threat to peoples' lives if unresolved. In this regard law enforcement agencies have been deployed to deal and avert the situation.
We wish to reiterate that the recent Constitutional Court judgment has declared the occupation and demarcation of sites illegal and any building of houses as unlawful and poses biggest risk for loss of property to all affected people.
In order to assess the full extent of the illegal occupation of the Kalkfontein 1001 LS, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform appeals to:
all affected private landowners who holds title deeds to their land in the area to come forward and register their details and full particulars.
all people who have built houses and have been sold stands in the area to also come forward and provide their details and full particulars
The parties affected are requested to bring along copies of their title deeds, proof of purchase, and / or any other document that was provided as proof of purchase that may serve to establish how and why they are in occupation of the said piece of land to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform from the 15 -26 April 2019 at Zororo Lodge at Dalmada in Polokwane( 08h00-16h00).
The Department will soon set-up a consultation meeting with all the affected claimants and the rightful beneficiaries of Kalkfontein 1001 LS farm who are entitled for restitution in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights act 1994 in order to expedite the finalization of their land claim.
Illegal land invasions or any disrespect for the rule of law will not be tolerated. Government has to act when people invade land. It is the only way we can have orderly and decent development in our cities. Anyone who encourages people to invade land is breaking the law and hurting the people they claim to fight for.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is committed to uphold the rule of law and therefore would like to emphasize that all government action is guided by the rule of law that is orderly and that all we do must and will be within the law.
We remain committed to resolve that matter amicably and for the benefit all affected parties. We will put South Africa first and work in partnership with all who want to build a better life for the people of our country.
ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM
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Media Enquiries should be directed to:
Mr Avhashoni Magada: DRDLR Limpopo Communication Services: 015 230 5040/ 0824657848,
Nicholas.magada@drdlr.gov.za
AND
Ms Phuti Mabelebele: DRDLR National Acting Chief and Spokesperson Strategic Communications
+2712 312 8909/ 076 402 7521/ Phuti.Mabelebele@drdlr.gov.za
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